Katakana Analysis

ポケモン is a katakana word that I found from the very popular and successful Nintendo manga, anime, and game. The word "ポケモン" is actually the shortened form of the words "Pocket Monster" (ポケットモンスター). Due to the game's popularity among children, the title of the game of the name was shortened. The reason why ポケモン is written in katakana could be due to the original title were both loan words (from English). Because ポケモン is a made up word, katakana is also used because there is no real Japanese word for Pokemon. Lastly, katakana is easy to read; because most of the targeted audience for ポケモン/ ポケットモンスター are children, using katakana makes sense.

オバマ is another name in katakana that is commonly seen in Japan. オバマ is both a foreign word and a name, so the use of katakana makes sense in this case. Because it is a foreign name, there is no kanji for オバマ. It also serves as an emphasis of the president whenever it appears in the Japanese newspaper. Another reason why President Obama's name is written in katakana could be because there is a town in Japan also called "obama" (小浜市). To avoid confusion, the city is usually written in Kanji and the president's name in katakana.

After collecting and observing the use of katakana, we can start to understand why most textbooks limit the use of katakana to loan/foreign words, onomatopoeia, and names. The most common katakana that we see in our daily lives are those pertaining to loan words found on food packets, in newspapers, etc. Those who read manga would more regularly happen upon onomatopoeia in the comics. One important category that is also seen quite often, but goes unmentioned, is brands. Japanese brands such as ユニクロ, are also pertinent in our daily lives, and employs the use of Katakana.